Finland's Kymenlaakso region has launched its search for the 2026 Village of the Year, a competition that spotlights the resilience and innovation of rural communities. The Kymenlaakson Kylät ry association is now accepting nominations until January 31, 2026, seeking villages that exemplify planned development, creative new activities, and a clear vision for the future. This regional contest feeds into the prestigious national Suomen vuoden kylä competition, placing local community spirit on a countrywide stage.
"The selection emphasizes the planning, long-term commitment, and innovative new activity of village development, as well as an orientation toward the future," the association stated, outlining its core criteria. Judges will specifically examine how broadly a village develops its overall community. Active collaboration and a deep understanding of a community's own potential for regional development work are considered distinct advantages. Networking, local services, communication, and the promotion of livelihoods are all part of the systematic development plan the winning village must demonstrate.
More Than a Beauty Contest
This is far from a simple popularity contest. The selection process functions as a rigorous audit of community health and strategic ambition. The association explicitly aims to highlight the diverse activities of villages, increase the visibility of village work, and find active villages and city districts with results-driven operations each year. The ultimate goal is to discover exemplary models of village activity that can be shared with others across the region and nation. The winning village receives a 1,500-euro prize from the Kymenlaakso Regional Council, a symbolic investment in its continued success.
"These competitions are vital for community engagement and sustainable development," explains a rural development expert familiar with the Finnish model. "They force a community to look inward, assess its strengths and weaknesses, and present a cohesive plan. It’s about proving viability and ambition, not just charm." The expert notes that village associations are often the primary engines driving local initiatives and advocating for rural needs in discussions with municipal and regional governments.
The Road to National Recognition
The selection machinery involves multiple layers of local governance. Proposals will be processed by a selection committee comprising representatives from Kymenlaakson Kylät ry, the local LEADER action groups Leader Pohjois-Kymen Kasvu and Leader Sepra, and a representative from the previous year's winning village. This structure ensures continuity and peer evaluation. The final selections will be confirmed by the Kymenlaakso Regional Council's board in the spring of 2026. The regional winners are then submitted to the following year's national Finnish Village of the Year competition, raising the stakes considerably.
Nominations require a completed form available on the Kymenlaakson Kylät ry website. The association is also requesting proposals for individuals to be recognized for their distinguished service in village activities and promoting the vitality of rural areas. These personal recognitions can be proposed in a free-form format, sent via email to toimisto@kymenlaaksonkylat.fi or by post to the association's office in Kouvola.
A Legacy of Active Communities
The title has recently been awarded to communities demonstrating unique character and initiative. In 2025, the honor went to Pitäjänsaari in Hamina. The previous year, the recognition came to Kouvola, specifically to the district of Pilkanmaa in Kuusankoski. These winners set a high bar for future applicants, showcasing how distinct urban districts within larger towns can also embody the collaborative, forward-looking village spirit the competition celebrates.
The Kymenlaakso region itself, in southeastern Finland bordering Russia, presents a unique context. Its villages contend with specific geographic and economic realities, making their development successes particularly instructive. The competition criteria, with their strong focus on networking and promoting livelihoods, directly address the challenges of rural areas seeking to retain population and create opportunity.
The Deeper Impact of Village Pride
Analysts see the Village of the Year institution as a critical component of Finland's strategy to maintain the vitality of its vast rural landscape. It creates friendly rivalry, shares best practices, and, most importantly, generates immense local pride. The act of preparing a submission often unites village committees, local businesses, and residents around a common narrative of their home's value and potential. The 1,500-euro prize, while modest, is typically invested in a tangible community project, leaving a lasting legacy from the win.
For international observers, the competition offers a window into the Finnish social fabric, where community-led development is deeply ingrained. It contrasts with top-down regional policy, emphasizing local agency and self-determination. The requirement for "planned development" signals that haphazard efforts are insufficient; communities must think strategically like small municipalities, considering services, communication, and economic levers.
As the January 2026 deadline seems distant, the real work begins now in community halls and online meetings across Kymenlaakso. Which village will undertake the thorough self-assessment required? Which community can best articulate its past resilience and future vision? The search for Kymenlaakso's 2026 Village of the Year is not just about finding a winner—it is about motivating an entire region to reflect on what makes its communities tick and how they can thrive for decades to come.